Maple Express | August 11, 2026 Canadian Broadcasting Legend Lloyd Robertson Dies at 92

1. Canadian Broadcasting Legend Lloyd Robertson Dies at 92

Canadian journalism has lost a giant. Lloyd Robertson, who served as chief anchor of CTV National News for 35 years, passed away Tuesday evening at the age of 92. His family confirmed the news, and tributes poured in from across the country.

Robertson's broadcasting career spanned more than six decades, beginning at a local radio station in Stratford, Ontario in 1952. He made his national television debut with CBC in 1956 before moving to CTV in 1976. From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he bore witness to countless historic moments.

"For me, it's been a rare privilege to have been able to serve in this position for so long. It's been a front-row seat to history," Robertson said during his final broadcast in 2011. He once even reported live on his own multi-vehicle collision on Toronto's Don Valley Parkway, cementing his legendary status.

2. Perseid Meteor Shower Peaks This Week with Bonus Partial Solar Eclipse

Skywatchers are in for a rare double treat this week: the Perseid meteor shower, one of the year's best, peaks on the night of August 12-13, while much of Canada will also experience a partial solar eclipse during the daytime.

With the peak coinciding with a new moon, there will be minimal moonlight interference, making viewing conditions nearly perfect. Peter Brown, Canada Research Chair in Meteor Astronomy at Western University, says this year's Perseid "Earth-grazers" will be particularly active — meteors that enter the atmosphere and then head back into space, appearing bright and spectacular.

The peak is expected around midnight Eastern Daylight Time, with up to 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. No special equipment is needed to watch meteors — just find a dark location away from city lights. However, proper solar eclipse glasses are essential for viewing the partial solar eclipse safely.

3. Colombia 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake Kills Over 110, Thousands Trapped

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, killing at least 111 people, damaging hundreds of buildings, and leaving many trapped under rubble. The epicentre was in San Jose del Palmar in the Choco region, with tremors felt as far as the capital Bogota, as well as neighbouring Ecuador and Panama.

The hardest-hit cities include Cali, Pereira, and Quibdo. Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella declared a state of emergency to expedite disaster relief funding. Colombia's Geological Service called it the strongest earthquake recorded in the country "in the 21st century," followed by 21 aftershocks.

The remote Choco region, accessible only by boat or plane in many areas, poses major challenges for damage assessment. The disaster has evoked memories of the back-to-back earthquakes that devastated neighbouring Venezuela in late June, killing more than 6,300 people.

4. Richmond Hill Vehicle Arson: Police Search for Two Suspects

York Regional Police are searching for two suspects who allegedly intentionally set two vehicles on fire in Richmond Hill late last month. The incident occurred around 2:15 a.m. on July 24 on Gatcombe Circle, south of Elgin Mills Road West between Bathurst and Yonge streets.

When officers arrived, they found one vehicle "fully engulfed" in flames, with a second vehicle's trunk area also on fire. Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services extinguished the blaze and determined the fire was the result of arson. Surveillance footage shows two suspects, one carrying a jerry can, walking along Gatcombe Drive shortly after 2 a.m. before fleeing the scene.

Fortunately, there was no damage to the residence and no physical injuries. A dark-coloured sedan was seen in the area around the time of the incident. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau or Crime Stoppers.

5. York Region Drug Bust: One Arrested, $300K in Drugs Seized

York Regional Police have arrested one man and seized over $300,000 worth of controlled substances following a months-long drug trafficking investigation in Vaughan and surrounding areas.

On August 6, investigators executed search warrants at a residence and a storage locker in Vaughan, seizing a significant quantity of drugs and a large amount of Canadian currency. Police have not yet released the suspect's identity or the specific types of drugs involved, noting the investigation remains ongoing with potential additional charges.

This case is part of York Regional Police's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region. Anyone with information is urged to contact York Regional Police.

6. Markham Grandmother Wins $1 Million Scratch Ticket Prize

A Markham grandmother is celebrating after winning a $1 million top prize on an Ultra Scratch ticket. Thavamanidevy J., a mother of two and grandmother of two, says she was sitting on a bench outside a gas station when she discovered her life-changing win.

"I didn't understand all the zeros at first. I called my husband right away and explained what I was seeing," Thavamanidevy said as she collected her cheque at the OLG Prize Centre. "The walk home was only about 20 minutes, but it felt like two hours! I felt a mix of excitement, shock, and disbelief."

The Markham woman plans to pay it forward by helping her children and grandchildren first, and said she would also like to travel to Jamaica and Mexico with her loved ones. The winning ticket was purchased at a Petro-Canada on Ninth Line in Markham.

7. Toronto Police Launch E-Scooter and E-Bike Safety Enforcement Campaign

Toronto police launched a two-week micromobility safety enforcement campaign on Monday, targeting e-bikes, e-scooters, and other rideables. The campaign runs until August 24 and aims to increase awareness of city regulations ahead of the back-to-school season.

Police report 514 collisions involving micromobility vehicles in Toronto so far this year, including two fatal e-scooter crashes. Officers will focus on illegal sidewalk riding, wrong-way riding in cycle tracks, illegal e-moped use in cycle tracks, and illegal parking in bike lanes.

While purchasing or owning an e-scooter in Toronto is permitted, riding them on public roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, cycle tracks, or trails within the city is not allowed. Last year's similar safety blitz resulted in approximately 3,500 tickets issued over a two-week period.

8. Ontario Liberal Leadership Debate: Candidates Clash Over Need for Legislature Seat

The five Ontario Liberal leadership candidates took to the stage Monday evening for their first debate, with early focus on whether the next leader needs a seat in the legislature.

The person Liberal members select in November will be the party's fourth leader since 2018, when the Liberals were last in government. The previous two leaders, Steven Del Duca and Bonnie Crombie, did not have seats, and the five candidates are divided on whether that matters. Sitting MPPs Lee Fairclough and Stephanie Bowman argue the next leader needs the visibility of an elected legislator.

Meanwhile, former federal cabinet minister Navdeep Bains, housing advocate Eric Lombardi, and former political staffer Dylan Marando contend that voters are not concerned about seat status. The next leader will be announced on November 21. The Liberals currently sit as the third-place party in the Ontario legislature.

9. Canada Youth Unemployment Falls for Third Straight Month

New Statistics Canada data shows youth unemployment has declined for three consecutive months, with the rate for Canadians aged 15 to 24 dropping from 14.6% in July 2025 to 12.6% in July 2026, signalling a clear summer job market recovery.

Economists say the initial shock of the U.S. trade war is wearing off, with businesses adapting to external uncertainty and regaining hiring confidence. The Bank of Canada's policy rate cut to 2.25% has also begun working its way through the economy. "What business wants more than anything is exactly that: stability," said Stepan Arman, senior director at Indeed Canada.

Slowing population growth may also be freeing up more entry-level positions for young workers. The summer tourism season has boosted hiring in restaurants, retail, and hospitality. The unemployment rate for returning students fell from 17.5% in July 2025 to 15.1% in July 2026.

10. Auto Thefts Continue Downward Trend Across Canada, Down 10% in First Half of 2026

A new report from Equite Association shows auto thefts continue trending downward across Canada, with reported thefts in the first half of 2026 down 10% compared to the same period last year, as joint efforts by law enforcement and the insurance industry take effect.

In recent years, Canada has faced a serious auto theft crisis, with Ontario and Quebec hit hardest as stolen vehicles were frequently shipped overseas through the Port of Montreal. The federal government has worked with provinces to invest significant resources in dismantling organized crime auto theft networks, while border enforcement has also been substantially strengthened.

Despite the positive trend, Equite Association urges the public to remain vigilant, recommending steering wheel locks and GPS trackers as preventative measures. The report emphasizes that combating auto theft requires sustained cooperation between government, law enforcement, and the public.